Systems and methods for frequency-specific localization and speech comprehension enhancement

Abstract

An exemplary spatial enhancement system performs frequency- specific localization and speech comprehension enhancement. Specifically, the system receives an audio signal presented to a recipient of a hearing device, and generates, based on the audio signal, a first frequency signal and a second frequency signal. The first frequency signal includes a portion of the audio signal associated with a first frequency range, and the second frequency signal includes a portion of the audio signal associated with a second frequency range. Based on the first and second frequency signals, the system generates an output frequency signal that is associated with the first and second frequency ranges and that is configured for use by the hearing device in stimulating aural perception by the recipient. This generating of the output frequency signal includes processing the first frequency signal to apply a localization enhancement and processing the second frequency signal to apply a speech comprehension enhancement.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 819,334, filed Mar. 15, 2019. The contents of the provisional patent application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND INFORMATION[0002]Various types of monaural and binaural hearing systems have been developed to enable and / or enhance the ability of hearing-impaired listeners who are recipients of hearing systems to hear or otherwise perceive sound that is presented to them. For example, hearing aid systems may operate to amplify sounds (or certain frequency components of that sounds) that are difficult for recipients to perceive, cochlear implant systems may operate to directly stimulate cochlear tissue in a manner that simulates how sound would stimulate the cochlea if not for cochlear damage or irregularity, and hybrid stimulation systems may be configured to provide both electrical and acoustic stimulation, thereby serving as hybrid systems...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system and method for improving speech comprehension and localization for recipients of hearing systems, such as cochlear implants and hearing aids. The system uses frequency-specific enhancements to improve the ability of recipients to hear and understand speech and sound. The patent describes various techniques that can be implemented on hearing devices to improve these hearing tasks, including interaural beamforming, gain coupling, and other suitable operations. The technical effects of the patent include improved speech comprehension and localization for recipients of hearing systems, making it easier for them to hear and understand the sounds they encounter in their daily lives.

Problems solved by technology

Certain hearing tasks can be challenging for a recipient of any type of hearing system to perform.

As one example, it may be difficult to comprehend speech (e.g., of a person talking to the recipient), particularly in a noisy environment where other sounds compete with the speech content provided by the speaker.

As another example, it may be difficult to localize sounds being perceived (i.e., to discern from which direction different sounds originate).

Unfortunately, these types of important hearing tasks often tend to be in competition with one another as the signal processing that enhances speech comprehension typically does so at the expense of the recipient's localization ability, and vice versa.

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